[x] Bittersweet

California Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage

CNN News

A remarkable victory for gay rights, California’s state senate approved this week legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in the largest populated state in the Union.  California would become the second state after Massachusetts to legalize same-sex marriages. Although I am extremely excited over this victory for civil rights, my happiness over the victory is, of course, downplayed by the devastation and the heartbreak left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. My continued thoughts and prayers to the people of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Such a momentous achievement such as this, however, is not going to go unchallenged… not by a longshot.  With the passing of Proposition 22 back in 2000, I remain skeptical and await the California public’s reaction.  Heh… It’s pretty much a given that ol’ Dubbya is going to push harder on the Federal Marriage Amendment (once the bulk of the Louisiana/Mississippi cleanup is underway and/or completed and the country can focus back on Bush’s inflamed supposed crises of American Morality).

If/when same-sex marriages are legalized, my next major hurdle is finding that special someone I can marry. Heh…

Chief Justice Rehnquist Dies of Cancer

CNN News

I came home from work tonight and I saw this headline flashing on my computer screen (along with the continued Hurricane Katrina coverage).  I thought to myself “Oh, shit.” Now there are two vacancies on the country’s highest court. President Bush now has the opportunity to appoint yet another conservative to the seat. I’m curious to see just how fair and unbiased the new justices will be in upcoming cases.  The Senate still has to confirm the President’s nomination for Supreme Court Justice and normally I wouldn’t be this anxious, but the Senate, like the House, is in the hands of the Republican majority. Not to mention the current drama with Roberts’ nomination to Sandra Day O’Connor’s seat. Oh, good gawd. Fair and unbiased my ass… Checks and balances? Pft… riiight.

T’is uncertain times we live in… t’is indeed.

[x] Purdy Song

Holding On
Ferry Corsten

The failing sky grows darker every day.
And moonlight fading as you walk away.
And all the roads that lead me to your heart…
…have gone astray

My hands are tied behind my back,
and I'm weaken by your slow attack,
you take me in, then change your mind again.

Your spinning wheel won't lead me to your view,
and all the words I need to hear from you,
I'm holding on but guess I'm out of luck,
…and still in love with you

My hands are tied behind my back,
and I'm weaken by your slow attack,
you take me in, then change your mind again.

Hold my face, in your hands, look into my eyes
So understand, all the thoughts, inside your mind
Tell me it's time

My hands are tied behind my back,
and I'm weaked by your slow attack,
you take me in, than change your mind again.

[x] Doodles

A few doodles from my sketchbooks...

Sorry, I don't do boys... teehee...

I was supposed to be taking notes on watercolor techniques...

Instead I drew Mike while he was taking notes on watercolor techniques

It's good to be bad

I didn't like the model's pose, so I drew someone else drawing the model's pose

I give you the new X-Man... Unnamed Guy

Infantech

Designing tomorrow's people today!

Tree

No, the lecture's not boring; whatever made you say that?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

Uoh!

[x] Code of the Spartan Artist

-         Do Not Stick It to the Man: The Parking system is harder to crack than I thought.

-         Do Not Dance: The drafting tables on the third floor of the Art building are not stable enough to dance on

-         Do Not Fail: The fourth floor currently stores all the bodies of art students who failed to meet BFA requirements

-         Moist Towelettes: Showers and sleep are tertiary priorities, if not entirely optional, for BFA Art students.

-         Hygiene is preferred but not required: Upon entering the BFA program, begin leaving a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, and some deodorant in the locker in addition to my art supplies.

-         Love the Spotlight: The department heads hide cockiness, arrogance, and self indulgent praise behind a smile.

-         Dress Code: There is a hierarchy of dress and attitude among the art students:  graphic designers and photographers are trendy and pretty, industrial designers and interior designers are either business professional in dress or a little too trendy, fine artists are casual and perky, illustrators and animators are either grunge or scrubby and fatigued to the brink of death, BA – Design Studies students are indistinguishable from any other student on campus, etc.

-         The John Clapp Code:

o       Shadows are your friend

o       Contrast is the meaning of life

o       The answer to everything is “squint”

o       Simplify

-         Mix Your Paints: When low on pigments use the following: blood makes a nice raw umber until it dries… then it’s more of a burnt sienna; boogers and earwax make a nice yellow ochre or cadmium yellows (depending on the color intensity and the fluidic nature of either); applying a thin layer of sweat and tears to the canvas will cause paints to dry quicker (because of salts); nose hairs, eyebrow hairs, eye lashes – gather enough of these hairs and you’ll have a decent natural fiber brush for fine details in more demanding acrylic paintings

-         Draw… or die.